Top 10 must-see beaches around the world

Whether it’s surfing, fishing, swimming or sunning, there’s a beach out there for everyone. Home Exchange, a site that connects people who want to swap homes for vacation, offers a list of must-see beaches around the world, and homes available nearby each.

These are 10 beaches to add to your bucket list:

Shutterstock

Slide 2 of 12

Big Sur, California

The winding, coastal California Highway 1 offers stunning vistas of Big Sur’s often inaccessible coastline, and there’s plenty of places to pull over and enjoy the views. The adjacent Santa Lucia mountain range is one of the largest roadless areas near a coast in the contiguous U.S., making this coast relatively lonely compared with Los Angeles to the south and Monterey to the north. Land use restrictions that preserve Big Sur’s natural beauty mean that accommodations can be limited, often expensive, and fill up quickly during the busy summer season. Look for state parks and beaches for the best access to the water. Fall is a better time to visit California’s beaches, when the summer fog lets up a bit.

Shutterstock

Slide 3 of 12

Byron Bay, Australia

In an area known for its hippie culture, the beaches of Byron Bay offer it all: surfing, swimming, dog walking, snorkeling and sand castles, and there are beaches great for kids, barbecuing, and even one unofficial clothing-optional beach. The annual Byron Bay Bluesfest draws big names from Counting Crows to Paul Simon. Some beaches are patrolled by lifeguards, and others have alcohol-free zones.

Shutterstock

Slide 4 of 12

Coromandel Peninsula, New Zealand

The Coromandel Peninsula lies in the North Island of New Zealand. It is 85 kilometers long and just 40 kilometers at its widest point. It forms a natural barrier to protect the Hauraki Gulf from the Pacific Ocean. Home Exchange recommends Hot Water Beach, where, at low tide, a series of underground mineral water reservoirs bubble up from the ground with temperatures reaching up to 174ºF. Rent a spade and dig your own natural hot tub.

Shutterstock

Slide 5 of 12

Ses Salines, Ibiza, Spain

With crystal clear water and a pale sandy beach, Ses Salines, just 10 minutes from Ibiza, is popular for body surfing, and offers peddle boats, electro boats, catamaran rental and diving school. It's popular among celebrities and offers a lively party scene.

Shutterstock

Slide 6 of 12

Cavendish Beach, Prince Edward Island, Canada

Prince Edward Island’s department of tourism describes beaches with smooth warm sand, red sandstone cliffs, soft blue sky, and white-capped waves. Cavendish Beach is one of the most unspoiled. The island is surrounded by warm summer water, and is great for canoeing, kayaking, fishing, snorkeling, swimming, seal watching or parasailing.

Shutterstock

Slide 7 of 12

Salvador, Brazil

Home Exchange says there’s always something happening in Porto da Barra, from a game of beach volleyball, a fishing boat bringing in the catch of the day, or a beautiful sunset over the ocean. Lonely Planet describes it as small, picturesque, often crowded, and popular with surfers. It has a lively night life.

Haru Master/Wikipedia

Slide 8 of 12

Dominical, Costa Rica

One vacation listing for Dominical says the area “combines beautiful beach with an up-and-coming party scene but has yet to be corrupted by fast-food outlets or large crowds.” The beach is famous its waves and is well known by Costa Rican surfers.

Shutterstock

Slide 9 of 12

Whitehaven beach, Queensland, Australia

The crystal-clear aqua waters and pristine silica sand of Whitehaven beach, which stretches for seven kilometers on Whitsunday Island in Queensland is why this beach consistently makes everyone’s list of top beaches. It’s a perfect place for swimming.

Shutterstock

Slide 10 of 12

Hanalei Bay, Hawaii

“It’s a slice of heaven and you should go,” says one Yelp! visitor. On the north shore of Kua’i, Hanalei Bay is one of the world’s most picturesque beach locations, and a popular beach for swimming, surfing and boogie boarding. The pier offers a calm area for children to play in the surf.

Burmesedays/CC-BY-SA3.0/Wikivoyage.org

Slide 11 of 12

Bali, Indonesia

Canggu Beach is mostly famous for its surfing, and the sands are black. It’s got world-class waves but also offers smaller breaks for beginners. Visitors like to watch the surfers. Fans of the beach on Trip Advisor say it offers good facilities, cafes, surf rentals and classes.

Intraday Data provided by SIX Financial Information and subject to terms of use.
Historical and current end-of-day data provided by SIX Financial Information. Intraday data
delayed per exchange requirements. S&P/Dow Jones Indices (SM) from Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
All quotes are in local exchange time. Real time last sale data provided by NASDAQ. More
information on NASDAQ traded symbols and their current financial status. Intraday
data delayed 15 minutes for Nasdaq, and 20 minutes for other exchanges. S&P/Dow Jones Indices (SM)
from Dow Jones & Company, Inc. SEHK intraday data is provided by SIX Financial Information and is
at least 60-minutes delayed. All quotes are in local exchange time.